Final answer:
Editors do have input in the filmmaking process, and directors are not solely responsible for enacting visions without opinions from others. The collaboration between directors and other production members is essential, and while the director holds significant artistic influence, they are supported and sometimes critiqued based on the success of the final product.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false to say editors simply enact the director's vision without expressing opinions about cuts. While the majority of decisions are indeed influenced by the director, as they piece together the movie in post-production, the filmmaking process is collaborative. Directors rely on editors to shape the final narrative, and as the first audience members, they hold a strong responsibility for the audience's experience.
Directors are also known to operate as auteurs, where their vision is as significant as the script itself, frequently adding multiple layers of artistry to their productions. This vision is often shaped by their interpretative lens, such as Anne Bogart's use of the Viewpoints technique, which does not disrespect the playwright but instead enhances the concept. Regardless, directors are not exempt from critique—when a show fails, it is often attributed to the director's decisions.
Moreover, directors are not involved in the bureaucratic aspects of production, such as contracts and economic negotiations—tasks handled by the producer—allowing them to focus on the artistic side. As Kiara Pipino and Hal Luftig discussed, while producers and other collaborators such as writers and editors do have their roles and input, directors often have the final say, especially in theatre settings, whereas in TV, the final say may come from the network.